Meteorological Musings
We've been held captive this week to the meteorological equivalent of the dry heaves: uncomfortable and futile. Each evening (or early morning), we're brushed by the the edges of thunderstorms on their way to deliver rain to other places, providing us with brutal winds and stampeding tumbleweeds, and just enough moisture to waterspot windows and turn the dirt they deposited into a dull ochre paste on the porch.
But this morning – ah, this morning! – is different. The past hour was filled with a steady rainfall, one that came straight down rather than coming in sideways. We got the best of the thunderstorm, without hail, high winds, or even power surges or blackouts.
Being the fortunate soul I am, I was able to abandon my workplace and relocate to the front porch to observe the neighborhood under these unusual conditions. As thunder echoed in the distance, I watched a cottontail rabbit make its way across the vacant lot, followed by a pair of blue quail, silly in their self-importance. The barn swallows from next door were engaged in their morning commute, flying at slow speeds and at eye level back and forth in front of me. I became aware of the percussion of raindrops hitting various surfaces: a steady dull patter of the stream from the roof onto the cedar mulch in our flower beds, the sharper tat tat tat as the drops bounced off the fanned fronds of the small palm tree, and – best of all – the plop of drops into the stream running vigorously down the gutter, affirming that we'd gotten enough rain to make a difference, at least for today.
Today's the first day of summer. Or is it? I can never remember whether it's the 20th or the 21st, and in light of previous discussions on these pages about the pervasive effect of the internet, I'm choosing to remain intentionally ignorant. Rainy West Texas mornings will do that to a person. I hope you'll join me.
Nice morning for a cup of coffee on the front porch.
You're exactly right about that! Unfortunately, by the time I was able to get out to the porch, I'd emptied and washed the coffee maker.
Posted by: Eric at June 20, 2008 09:01 AMAh...a moment of quiet reflection before delving into the madness of what is my world.
For that, I thank you.
Blessings, friend.
The other side of the peaceful coin...just as I was backing out of the garage with an already antsy cat in his carrier on the way to the vet...the very largest boom of thunder went off. I can see that I will never again be able to put him in that carrier! But the rain later was perfect.
Posted by: Katie at June 20, 2008 09:44 AMThe rain scared on of my boys. But he is only 14.
Posted by: dale at June 20, 2008 10:16 AMSherry, I'm glad you could share in the reverie. Hope the "real world" is gentle to you the rest of the day.
Katie, have you ever thought about stuffing cotton balls in your cat's ears when thunderstorms are approaching? (And if you do, please video it so we can see how that works out. ;-)
Dale, I understand completely. It can be unnerving, the first time one experiences rain. He'll get over it (although I'm afraid what might happen if he ever sees any snow).
Posted by: Eric at June 20, 2008 10:28 AMEric, as I was reading this my thoughts
were "This youngster needs to write a book!"
"Git it done!"
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret at June 20, 2008 10:34 AMI went outside early to water my potted plants and relished the thunder and lightning. When the showers came and drove me indoors, I made migas, fresh coffee, hot tea and zapped a couple of frozen blintzes, topping them with raspberries. Katie cleaned the dull ochre paste off the bistro set on the front porch so we could enjoy our repast with the incredible blessing of RAIN!! Thanks for your refreshing description of this wondrous event!
Posted by: Phyllis at June 20, 2008 10:34 AMI'm in Fort Worth today...it's really raining in Midland, America? Woohooo!!!!
I'm so glad.
Really.
Posted by: Janie Is It Really Raining at June 20, 2008 10:54 AMMargaret, you're not old enough to refer to me as "youngster"! ;-) But thanks for the kind words.
Phyllis, I can't believe you deprived yourself of the joy of sharing your breakfast with a certain blogger located just a couple of miles northwest of you! But you can make it up by sending the Katester over; we still have ochre paste on our back porch. ;-)
Janie, I don't know what the rest of Midland experienced, but we had .3" in our gauge after the showers rolled through...and more is forecast later today. And get this: the high temp tomorrow is just supposed to be in the 80s. That's the kind of summer I could grow to love!
Posted by: Eric at June 20, 2008 11:07 AMif it helps you have my permission to vicariously experience our daily summer afternoon Orlando Florida thundershowers.
Posted by: Kudzu Fire at June 21, 2008 03:58 PMThanks for the offer, but I think I'll stick with our infrequent rain. It's more special when it does come.
Posted by: Eric at June 21, 2008 09:49 PM“…the meteorological equivalent of the dry heaves: uncomfortable and futile.”
I love the turn of phrase. It sounds like a description of my singing – except for the meteorological aspect, of course.
Posted by: Foo at June 22, 2008 06:38 AMAbout the publisher
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It sounds lovely! Nice morning for a cup of coffee on the front porch.
Posted by: Lynellen at June 20, 2008 08:57 AM